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A 16-night self-drive itinerary exploring Iceland's diverse landscapes including the highlands, southern coast, eastern fjords, and northern areas. The route incorporates major natural attractions, geothermal sites, and volcanic areas, with multiple adventure activities like ice cave tours, glacier hikes, and super-jeep trips.
An Iceland trip expert planned this 16-day route for a real client's August trip: Ring Road With the Highlands. It passed our checks for daily driving, highland roads and season, which is why it is one of the 177 expert-built plans in our Iceland itineraries.
The day-by-day plan below has every stop, with photos and what to see. Duplicate it to set your own dates, change the pace or swap stops; the original stays as the expert wrote it.
Open any day for the full plan — stops, drives, and where to stay.
Arrival at 15:30. Overnight in Reykjavík.
Overnight in Hella.
Self-drive via F208. Overnight in Hella.
Overnight in Vik.
Requires 4x4 for Thakgil. Overnight in Kirkjubaerklaustur.
DAY 6Overnight in Kirkjubaerklaustur.
Overnight in Kirkjubaerklaustur.
Overnight in Hofn.
Overnight in Egilsstadir.
Overnight in Mývatn.
Overnight in Mývatn.
Overnight in Varmahlid.
Overnight in Geysir.
Overnight in Husafell/Reykholt.
Overnight in Reykjavík.
Overnight in Keflavik.
Each stop below has a full guide on iceland-trip.com, our sister site written by the same team: how to get there, parking, seasons and what to expect.
Krýsuvík–Seltún Geothermal AreaPlan a visit to Krýsuvík–Seltún on the Reykjanes Peninsula, with advice on access, parking, walking routes, safety, winter conditions, and nearby stops.Reykjanes Peninsula · Read the guide
Lake KleifarvatnVisit Lake Kleifarvatn on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula with practical advice on Road 42, parking, short walks, winter driving, safety and nearby stops.Reykjanes Peninsula · Read the guide
Kerið Crater: The Golden Circle Volcanic LakeKerið is a 3,000-year-old volcanic crater you can actually walk into. Discover the geology, the vivid turquoise lake, and how to visit this Golden Circle highlight.Golden Circle · Read the guide
LandmannalaugarDiscover Landmannalaugar with this practical guide: how to get there, top hikes, hot spring tips, safety advice, and where to stay—everything you need for a smart highlands adventure.Highlands · Read the guide
SigöldugljúfurSigöldugljúfur is a highland canyon with waterfalls above turquoise water. Learn about the F-road access, fords and rim viewpoint before a summer visit.Highlands · Read the guide
Seljalandsfoss WaterfallVisit Seljalandsfoss in Iceland. Learn how to walk behind the waterfall, explore nearby Gljúfrabúi, check parking fees and avoid the crowds.South Iceland · Read the guide
SkógafossVisit Skógafoss Waterfall in Iceland. Updated parking fees, the 527-step staircase, Waterfall Way hike, visiting times and tips for avoiding crowds.South Iceland · Read the guideAlso on iceland-trip.com: Dyrhólaey · Katla Ice Cave · Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach · Þakgil (Thakgil) Canyon · Lakagígar (Laki Craters) · Skaftafell · Svínafellsjökull · Múlagljúfur Canyon · Fjallsárlón · Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon · Höfn · Stokksnes / Vestrahorn · Djúpivogur · Vök Baths · Stuðlagil Canyon · Dettifoss · Dimmuborgir · Goðafoss Waterfall in Iceland: Complete Visitor Guide · Things to Do in Akureyri: Attractions, Museums and Local Experiences · Forest Lagoon · Hveravellir Hot Springs Reserve · Kerlingarfjöll: Hveradalir Hikes, Roads & Where to Stay · Geysir Geothermal Area · Gullfoss Waterfall · Brúarfoss Waterfall · Þingvellir National Park: Parking, Walks & Visiting Tips · Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: Visitor guide · Husafell Canyon Baths · Laugavegur Trail · Sky Lagoon · Mývatn
16 days Expert-builtOvernights in Keflavík, Hella, Vík, Höfn, Egilsstaðir and 4 more, with Hvítserkur, Secret Lagoon and Glymur on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real August trip.
16 days Expert-builtOvernights in Selfoss, Vík, Höfn, Egilsstaðir, Húsavík and 4 more, with Hjörleifshöfði, Hverfjall and Langjökull Ice Cave on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real September trip.
16 days Expert-builtOvernights in Selfoss, Vík, Húsavík, Akureyri, Blönduós and 1 more, with Búrfell, Rauðhólar and Mývatn Nature Baths on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real July trip.
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